Pressure care often gets treated as an afterthought, something to layer in with a cushion once issues arise. But in reality, effective pressure relief needs to be part of the chair’s design from the beginning. For clients with fragile skin, poor mobility, or high clinical risk, the right recliner does more than offer comfort, it actively supports skin health and helps prevent injuries from developing in the first place.
Why Pressure Injuries Happen in Seating
When a person sits for extended periods, pressure builds in concentrated areas, especially under the sitting bones, thighs, and heels. Without the ability to shift position or redistribute weight, these pressure points can become vulnerable to skin breakdown.
Clients most at risk include those with:
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Limited movement
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Fragile skin or low body weight
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Poor sensation or palliative needs
Recliner chairs that don’t offer built-in pressure relief can increase risk, even when cushions are added.
The Problem with Add-On Cushions
Using clinical cushions on top of standard recliner seats might seem like a quick fix, but it can backfire:
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Raises seat height, making transfers more difficult.
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Disrupts postural alignment.
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Increases instability and shear forces.
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Can reduce the cushion’s own pressure relief effectiveness.
Instead of layering cushions, OTs should look for recliner chairs with integrated or replaceable pressure care bases.
Key Pressure Care Features to Look for in Recliner Chairs
Modular recliner chairs like the Configura Comfort offer pressure care features built right into the design:
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Pressure-redistribution foam bases: Designed to evenly distribute weight through immersion and envelopment.
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Alternating air seat modules: For dynamic pressure management. These gently shift pressure by inflating and deflating in cycles, ideal for treating pressure injuries and for clients with a high risk of developing pressure injuries.
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Cushion cut-outs: Accommodate specialist cushions without altering seat height. Also allows clients to insert a custom foam or cushion that they are familiar with e.g. gel or static air cushions.
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Tilt-in-space function: Lets the whole chair tilt backwards to take pressure off the bottom and help with posture.
Read more: To Tilt or Not to Tilt: The Prescriber’s Guide to Tilt-In-Space
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Reduced Shear Backrest Recline: This feature uses BodyMove™ Technology with auto-regression to improve pelvic stability during reclining. Instead of a simple hinge movement, the backrest mimics how our muscles naturally stretch and contract when we change posture, reducing friction and shear on the bottom and lower back.
These features help maintain posture, reduce skin risk, and improve comfort, all without compromising the overall seating system.
Who Needs Built-In Pressure Care?
Recliners with pressure-relieving options are ideal for clients who:
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Cannot reposition themselves independently.
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Have a history of pressure injuries.
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Sit for extended hours daily.
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Require palliative or long-term support.
Providing pressure care at the seating level is proactive, not reactive.
Tips for Clinical Pressure Assessment
When prescribing a recliner for a high-risk client, consider:
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Use a Pressure Injury Risk Assessment tool like the Purpose T Tool, Waterlow, or Braden Scale
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Check for existing wounds or fragile skin areas.
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Evaluate the need for tilt-in-space to support pressure redistribution.
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Observe mobility and repositioning ability.
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Collaborate with tissue viability nurses for complex cases.
Always match the seating solution to the person’s risk profile and daily use patterns.
Conclusion: Pressure Care Should Be Built In
Pressure care in recliner chairs isn’t just about comfort, it’s about clinical protection. A modular chair that includes integrated pressure-relief features is more stable, more supportive, and more effective than adding a cushion on top.
Missed the first two blogs in our Seating for Clinical Care series? Catch up here:
Blog: Why Recliner Fit Matters Link
Blog: Safe Transfers Start with the Right Recliner Chair Link
